Marine anchor sentry system

ABSTRACT

An electrical and mechanical system is disclosed for monitoring by detecting and signaling the drifting marine objects at anchor. Sensing means comprising a weighted line is operatively associated with pivotally supported means to detect angular displacement of the line. Electromechanical switch means are actuated by the line displacement to signal the drifting of the marine object from its anchored position.

United States Patent [1 1 Nichols Sept. 9, 1975 [541 MARINE ANCHOR SENTRY SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Gregory Nichols, 45 Forest St., Pr'mary Exammers len Swann In Manchester, Mass 01944 Attorney, Agent, or FlrmEdgar O. Rost [22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT PP- N05 456,064 An electrical and mechanical system is disclosed for monitoring by detecting and signaling the drifting ma- 52 us. Cl 340/29; 340/282 fine Objects at anchor- Sensing means comprising 5! 1m. cl. G08B 21/00 weighted is operatively aSSOCiaed with Pivotally 58 Field of Search 340/282 29- 116/26 Supported means detect angular displacement of 7 the line. Electromechanical switch means are actuated [56] References Cited by the line displacement to signal the drifting of the UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1945 Kehrer 340/29 marine object from its anchored position.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MARINE-ANCHOR SENTRY SYSTEM BACKGROUND-OF THE'INVENTI'ON The invention relates to a system and apparatus for anchor which may drift unnoticed from the original an 7 chored location. A large number of devices have appeared in the prior art for monitoring the marine drifting problem. Examples of such devices are found in US. Pat. No. 2,369,054 (Feb. 6, 1945) Kchrer, US. Pat. No. 3,281,781 (Oct. 25, 1966) Milton, 3,405,388 (Oct. 8, 1968) Byrne, 3,418,627 (Dec. 24, 1968) Lyons, and 3,428,942 (Feb. 18, 1969) Isaccson. Most of these devices involve elaborate drift alarm means associated with anchors or safety lines suspended below the water line and have been too costly or complicated to be widely accepted. A need exists for a simple, inexpensive system which requires minimal maintenance for use by the average weekend or part-time yachts man.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention the sentry system comprises a weighted line and electromechanical pivotally supported means operated by the line suspended from the side of a marine object. Any drift of the object which results in a predetermined angular displacement from a substantially vertical position of the pivotal means, for example a fall back drift condition, results in the actuation of audible or other alarm means such as gong, bell, buzzer, horn or flashing light. Upon resetting of the anchor lines the sentry system will again be in the secure position with the pivoted means being substantially vertically disposed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Details of an illustrative embodiment will be described, with reference being directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a vessel in two positions to illustrate the operation of the system;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of the invention in the secure position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective of the apparatus of the invention in the insecure and alarm position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the anchor sentry system for protection of anchored marine vessel from a drift condition is illustrated. The anchor 12 is attached to line 14 secured to the bow of vessel 10 in the anchored position with the flukes of the anchor resting on or being buried in bottom 16. A line 18 ofa corrosion resistant material, such as nylon or stainless steel, having a weight 20 is also suspended beneath the boat and contacts bottom 16. The weighted line 20 is operatively associated with the drift detection and alarm monitoring apparatus 22 secured in any suitable manner to, preferably, the side 24 of vessel 10. The upper end of the weighted line is rendered taut and is secured to cleat 26 mounted on the flat portion of plate 28 of a noncorrosive metal or plastic material adapted to be positioned on the gunwale of the side 24, by such means as perpendicular portions 30 and 32.

- After theboat has been securely anchored, as shown in FIG. 1, the weightedline 18is suspended below the water as hereinbefore described, Upon falling back, as

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indicated by arrow34, or drifting from the anchored. position indicated by dashed lines 36 in FIG. 2, line 18. is angular-displaced to actuate the apparatus 22 which will now be described. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 the drift detection and alarm monitoring apparatus 22 comprises elongated rod member 38 pivotally secured to portion 30 of plate 28 by pin 40. The bottom end of rod member 40 includes a loop 42 through which weighted line 18 extends. Rod member 38 is preferably fabricated ofa substantially rigid material and in an exemplary embodiment having an overall length of eighteen inches the pivot point was positioned at less than one-half or approximately one-third of this length from the rod outer end. The outer end of rod member 38 has a microswitch mechanism 44 including an adjustable screw 46 and contact trip plate 48.

The alarm means 50 including a battery and any desired audible or visible alarm of commercially available components are electrically connected to microswitch 44 by lead wires 52. When the system is in the secure position, shown in FIG. 3, with rod member 38 substantially vertical, there is no contact of screw 46 with trip plate 48. When the vessel drifts to the insecure position, indicated in FIG. 4, the microswitch is actuated by trip plate 48 to energize the alarm means. Adjustment of screw 46 to control the actuation of microswitch 44 by angular displacement of weighted line 18 and pivoted rod member 38 is available for any anchoring condition or weather situation. Further, since the angular displacement of weighted line 18 and rod member 38 actuate the sentry system, a turning-tide with the vessel 10 pivoting about anchor line 14 in the secure position will not cause actuating of the alarm means. The system is therefore, operative only when there is a drifting or insecure position.

There is thus disclosed a unique, simple and low cost anchor sentry system for anchored marine objects. Numerous substitutions, variations and alterations will be readily evident to those skilled in the art. The invention, therefore, as detailed in the foregoing description is to be considered in its broadest aspects and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. A sentry system and apparatus for anchored marine objects comprising in combination:

a weighted line suspended beneath the marine object to be in contact with the bottom of a body of water;

drift monitoring means mounted on said marine object including pivotally supported means operatively associated with said line to detect angular displacement thereof relative to a predetermined reference position; electromechanical switch means operatively connected to said pivotally supported means; and

alarm signalling means actuated when said pivotally supported means exceeds a predetermined angular displacement and contacts said electromechanical switch means to indicate an insecure drifting position.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said pivotally supported means comprise an elongated rod member.

its overall length from one end with the longer portion extending in the direction of the water.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said pivotally supported means is disposed in a substantially vertical reference position indicating the desired secure anchored position. 

1. A sentry system and apparatus for anchored marine objects comprising in combination: a weighted line suspended beneath the marine object to be in contact with the bottom of a body of water; drift monitoring means mounted on said marine object including pivotally supported means operatively associated with said line to detect angular displacement thereof relative to a predetermined reference position; electromechanical switch means operatively connected to said pivotally supported means; and alarm signalling means actuated when said pivotally supported means exceeds a predetermined angular displacement and contacts said electromechanical switch means to indicate an insecure drifting position.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said pivotally supported means comprise an elongated rod member.
 3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said rod member is rigid.
 4. The system according to claim 2 wherein said rod member comprises at one end a loop for guiding said weighted line.
 5. The system according to claim 2 wherein said rod member is pivotally supported at a point less than half its overall length from one end with the longer portion extending in the direction of the water.
 6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said pivotally supported means is disposed in a substantially vertical reference position indicating the desired secure anchored position. 